Customs at Seme records massive seizure of foreign rice

The Seme Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has arrested seven suspects in connection with smuggling within Seme border communities.

Uba Mohammed

The Customs Area Controller, CAC, of the Command, Comptroller Mohammed Uba, made this known, explained that the arrest was made possible through information patrol and the use of intelligence in their anti-smuggling drive within Seme region.

The Command also recorded massive seizures of rice, sugar, vegetable oil, second-hand clothes, shoes and other items smuggled into the country illegally through Seme border, within just few weeks of operations.

It was observed that the Customs warehouse at Seme was filled to the brim with seizures of rice and other items intercepted within a short period, even as seized vehicles used for means of conveyance in smuggling prohibited items were seen outside the warehouse.

On the strategies used in making the mind boggling seizures within few weeks, the CAC said, “Our Enforcement Unit, headed by the Deputy Comptroller of Enforcement, DC Adhaunse, is working tirelessly to protect our economic environment at seme axis from influx of prohibited goods.”

He pointed out, “We are implementing the fiscal policies of the Federal Government. As such, we will seize any item that is banned and forfeit such item to government”.

Comptroller Uba explained, “In reality, the Customs and Excise Management Act, CEMA, gives Customs operatives the authority to patrol freely on land borders and Seme Command is not an exemption. So, we will continue to carry out our enforcement operations in accordance with the law”.

Comptroller Uba also spoke on effectiveness of the Joint Border Post, JBP, at Seme for information sharing among security officers of both countries, revealing that another Joint border post for Nigeria and Cameroon is in progress in Cross River State.